ESG still a 'minefield' for wary advisers and wealth managers

However, popularity of sustainable funds remains

clock • 3 min read

Advisers and wealth managers remain extremely cautious about claims made by ESG funds for fear they will get caught up in greenwashing scandals, a survey has found.

The percentage of investment advisers who say they "completely trust" sustainability claims from funds has fallen from 1% to zero, according to the ESG Attitudes Tracker from the Association of Investment Companies (AIC). On a scale of one to five, most respondents (51%) rated their level of trust as ‘three', indicating limited trust. Advisers told the researchers that recommending funds based on misleading claims puts their business at risk. One adviser said: "I am concerned about [greenwashing] because to recommend something on the basis that it meets my client's desires for investm...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Green

Advisers need to bridge the sustainability gap – the FCA data proves it

Advisers need to bridge the sustainability gap – the FCA data proves it

'Now is the time to close the gap between client values and investment outcomes'

Elly Dowding and Lee Coates
clock 26 August 2025 • 4 min read
Sustainability advice course launched to help with SDR and Consumer Duty

Sustainability advice course launched to help with SDR and Consumer Duty

ESG Accord unveils ‘Sustainability in the Investment Advice Process’

Isabel Baxter
clock 21 August 2025 • 2 min read
We got tired of 'waiting' for the regulator – inside Elston's SDR MPS launch

We got tired of 'waiting' for the regulator – inside Elston's SDR MPS launch

And what next for advisers when it comes to MPS and sustainable investing

Isabel Baxter
clock 07 August 2025 • 7 min read